Jungkarp's obituary
*아래에 한국어 번역을 함께 첨부하였습니다.
It is with profound sorrow and abiding love that we announce the passing of Dr. Jungkarp Leo Suhr (서정갑), who departed this life on June 24, 2025, at the age of 90. He passed peacefully at INOVA FairOaks Hospital surrounded by the love of his family. A devoted scholar, mentor, husband, and father, Dr. Suhr leaves behind a rich legacy of integrity, intellect, and compassion.
Born in Chungdo, South Korea on August 10, 1934, Dr. Suhr graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in Political Science and Diplomacy, earned his M.A. from American University, and completed his Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Oklahoma. He began his teaching career at Barton College in North Carolina before returning to South Korea to join the faculty of Yonsei University, where he would go on to serve for decades.
At Yonsei, Dr. Suhr held several leadership positions, including Dean of the Graduate School and Dean of the College of Political Science and Diplomacy. He also served as President of the Korean Association of Political and Diplomatic Studies, contributing significantly to the development of political science education and research in Korea. He was also the author of the influential book, "The Politics of Disharmony: The American Experience." In addition to his work in Korea, Dr. Suhr held visiting professorships at Yale University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, further expanding his academic reach and international influence.
Yet beyond his accomplishments, Dr. Suhr was defined by his philosophical and deeply spiritual nature—a man who often reflected on life with clarity and profound insight. He was known not only for his generosity and unmistakable charisma, but also for the quiet humility that grounded his every action. Beneath that quiet strength was a gentle, sensitive, and deeply vulnerable soul who loved his family with unwavering devotion. He led with principle and inspired others by example. To his students, he was a wise and compassionate mentor. To his friends and colleagues, a loyal and thoughtful confidant. And to his family, he was a loving husband and a devoted father who gave limitless support and fierce, unconditional love.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Wonkyong Angela Suhr; daughters, Unju Monica Suhr, Unsun Teresa Suhr, and Hiesun Cecilia Suhr; and his son-in-law, Todd Douglas Raynor. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the many lives he touched.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on July 1, 2025, at St. Paul Chung Catholic Church, located at 4712 Rippling Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033. A memorial service in Korea will be announced at a later date.
May he rest in eternal peace, embraced by God’s everlasting presence.
서정갑 교수님 부고
우리는 깊은 슬픔과 변치 않는 사랑의 마음으로, 정갑 레오 서(Jungkarp Leo Suhr) 박사님께서 2025년 6월 24일, 향년 90세를 일기로 별세하셨음을 알립니다. 박사님은 INOVA 페어옥스 병원에서 가족의 사랑 속에 평안히 영면하셨습니다.
학자, 멘토, 남편, 아버지로서 평생을 살아오신 서 교수님은 올곧은 인품, 지성, 그리고 따뜻한 연민으로 가득한 삶을 남기셨습니다.
1934년 8월 10일 대한민국 청도에서 태어나신 서 박사님은 연세대학교 정치외교학과를 졸업하셨으며, American University에서 정치학 석사, University of Oklahoma에서 정치학 박사 학위를 받으셨습니다.
박사님은 미국 노스캐롤라이나 주의 Barton College에서 교수로서의 경력을 시작하신 후, 귀국하여 연세대학교 교수로 재직하시며 수십 년 동안 학문과 교육에 헌신하셨습니다.
연세대학교에서는 대학원장과 정치외교학과 학장을 역임하셨으며, 한국정치외교학회 회장을 지내시며 대한민국 정치학 교육과 연구 발전에 크게 기여하셨습니다.
또한 정치학 분야의 영향력 있는 저서 《부조화의 정치: 미국의 경험》(The Politics of Disharmony: The American Experience)의 저자이기도 하십니다.
한국뿐 아니라 Yale University와 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill에서도 방문교수로 활동하시며 국제 학계와의 교류를 넓히셨습니다.
학문적 성취를 넘어, 서 교수님은 겸손과 너그러움, 그리고 독보적인 카리스마를 지닌 분으로 기억됩니다.
조용한 강인함 속에는 섬세하고도 깊이 있는 감성을 지닌 분이셨으며, 가족을 향한 사랑은 한결같고 지극하셨습니다.
원칙을 지키는 리더였고, 행동으로 사람들에게 감화를 주셨습니다.
학생들에게는 지혜롭고 자비로운 스승이었고, 동료들에게는 신뢰할 수 있는 깊은 벗이자 조언자였으며, 가족들에게는 무한한 지지와 뜨거운 사랑을 주신 자상한 남편이자 헌신적인 아버지셨습니다.
유족으로는 사랑하는 아내 원경 안젤라 서 여사, 세 딸 서은주 (모니카 서), 서은선 (테레사 서), 서희선 (세실리아 서), 사위 토드 더글러스 레이너가 있습니다.
그의 존재는 많은 이들의 마음 속에 영원히 남아 있을 것이며, 그가 남긴 삶의 울림은 길이 전해질 것입니다.
장례 미사는 2025년 7월 1일 오전 11시에 St. Paul Chung Catholic Church (주소: 4712 Rippling Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033)에서 거행될 예정입니다.
한국에서의 추모식은 추후 공지될 예정입니다.
하느님의 영원한 품 안에서 평안히 잠드시기를 기도드립니다.
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